Weighing-machine.



No. 645,625; Patented Mar. 20, I900.

F. F.' MEYER.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

(Application filed June 16, 1899.)

2 SheetsSheet I.

(No Model.)

I I 1 l I I l J INVENTOR: -'FR@ERH KFIMEYER.

WITN ESSES! 7 LH. f& ca g.

6L ATTORNEY THE gowns PETERS co. PnoTouTMoq WASHINDTON, n. c.

.No. 645,525. Patented Mar. 20, 1900.

F. F. MEYER.-

WEIGHING MACHINE.

[Application filed June 16. 1899.;

(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

6 efi 5 WITNESSES:

BY 9 m Nrren STATES PATENT OFFicE.

FREDERICK F. MEYER, OF NEl/VARK, NEW JERSEY.

WEIGHI'NG- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,625, dated March 20, 1906.

Application filed June 16, 1899. a Serial No. 720,742. (No model-l To all who/7'2, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK F. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Weighing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in weighing-machines; and the invention relates more particularly to that class of scales for automatically weighing various articlessuch as coal, grain, sand, stone, or other substancesthe general arrangement of the mechanism being such that after a bucket which is pivotallyattached to one end of the weighing-beam is filled to the necessary extent the same will of its own weight become tilted and deposit the weighed goods into the body of a wagon, railway-car, or other vehicle, at the same time the mechanism connected with the weighing-machine being so arranged that the delivery-pocket is automatically closed to shut oft the supply of goods into the weighing-bucket, and when the lat ter is emptied of its contents it will again cause the mechanism to open up the deliveryopening of the pocket to once more fill up the weighing-bucket.

My present invention therefore has for its primary object to provide a novel construction of automatic weighing machine or scale, the general arrangement of the mechanism being such that a simple and effective device for the purposes stated will be the result.

The invention therefore consists generally in the novel construction of automatic weighing-scale hereinafter set forth, and, furthermore, my present invention consists in such novel arrangements and combinations of the operating mechanism and the details of theconstruction thereof, all of which will be fully described in the accompanying specification and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my novel construction ofweighing-scale and a portion of the goods-delivery pocket, part of which is represented in section, and one arrangement of intermediately placed operating mechanism, all made according to principles of my present invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the weighing-machineillustrated in said Fig. 1, except that the scale-beam is broken away; and Fig. 3 is an end view of the parts represented in said Fig. 2 when looking in the direction of the arrow in said figure. Fig. 4 is an end view of the hangers connected with the scale-beam and the weighing-bucket; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section of one of said hangers and a portion of one of the journals of the said bucket and a ball= bearing connected with said hanger, in which the end of the said journal is operatively ar*- ranged. Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the said above-described views to indicate corresponding parts. 7 Referring to the said drawings, A represents a suitable frame consisting, essentially, of the lower frame-pieces a and a and the connecting cross pieces a and a as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The said frame-pieces a and a are each provided with the upwardly-extending stringer-piecesa and a which are connected at the top by means of a horizontal bar or piece a. Braces a may be employed between the parts a and a and a and a and said stringer-pieces may be stiffened by means of a suitable arrangement of tie rods or bolts, as 1). Of course it will be understood that this special construction of supporting-frame is not absolutely essential and that I may use any other desirable construction of frame in which the weighing mechanism of the machine can be supported.

When the frame A is employed, the pieces a an d a are preferably provided with suitablyconstructed bearings c 'and pins 0, upon which I have rotatabl y arranged certain wheels or rollers 0 preferably provided with flanges, so that the device can be run on tracks and can be shoved in a lateral direction beneath the several discharge-openings of the various pockets D, as will be clearly evident. Upon each side of said cross bars or pieces a hereinabove mentioned I have secured, by means of bolts 6 or in any other suitable manner, the brackets e and a, (see the several figures of the drawings,) each bracket being preferably cut away, as at a and provided with a shoe f, preferably made of tempered steel. Each shoe is also cut away, as at f, to form supporting-points for the knife-edges h, secured in the two arm portions h of a yoke formed at the one end of a scale-beam h, said beam 72. having movably arranged thereon at its other end a poise g, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1. Said poise'is preferably provided with a set-screw g or other fastening means for fixing said poise in the proper positions upon the scalebeam during the process of weighing. Secured in position upon the brackets e and e by means of bolts or screws 6 or in any other convenient manner are suitably-constructed guards or bands a which help to retain the said fulcrumal supports or knife-edges h in their proper and operative positions upon the shoes f and prevent displacement and inoperativeness of the several parts owing to the constant jarring caused by the filling and emptying of the weighing-bucket 7a. The said bucket is pivotally and operatively connected with the free ends it of the two arms'h by means of the bearings or hangers i, the construction of which is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 4. and 5. 7

Each hanger or hearing is provided with the main body portion 2', which is provided at its lower surface with one or two perforated ears or lugs 2' and at its upper portions has a pair of upwardly-extending lugs or cars i which are provided with suitably formed openings 2'", in the upper parts of which may be secured a shoe 2' as indicated in Fig. 1. Said supports or bearings are operatively suspended upon suitably arranged fulcrumal supports or knife-edges 71 at or near the free ends of the arms 72.2 by having the ears or lugs i arranged on opposite sides of the said arm portions of the scale-beam, with the knifeedges of the f ulcrumal supports 71 operatively arranged upon the hereinabove-mentioned shoes 45 On each side of the bucket It I have arranged in the desired positions certain journals 7a, which extend into an opening i in the main body portion of each hanger and are provided with annular shoulders, as 79 for retaining certain antifriction balls or rollers 71 in their operative positions upon the rolling surface of the journals 7c and against certain cup-shaped retaining-plates i and caps 13? to form a ball-bearing, and thereby reduce the friction between the several parts to a minimum. The said plates i and the caps 11 are secured against the sides of the main body portions of the said hangers in any of the wellknown manners. In the said perforated ears or lugs i of each hanger is a pin 21 and from each arm portion 7&2 of the scale-beam h there depends a post if, which is provided with a bifurcated end it and has a supporting-pin 72 in said bifurcated end. Operatively connected with the said pins 11 of each hanger t' and the pins h in the bifurcated ends of each post k is a connecting bar or link j, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of Fig. 1. The function of said posts It? and the rods j is for the purpose of steadying the bucket while it is being filled and also during its tilting operation. It will be noticed that the connection by means of the rods j is I made between the hangers i and the arm portions h of the scale-beam, which is essential to avoid any distortion of the hangers which would interfere with the weight of the matter in the bucket. It will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1 that the downward motions of the scale-beam yoke, the bearings connected therewith, and the steadyin'g-rodsj are all performed at the same time without changing their relative positions to each other. By this arrangement the hangers 1; will at all times hang properly without producing a swinging motion of the same, no matter how the'bucketmay be tilted, which would cause friction and constant wear of the knife-bearings h and soon render the device inoperative, and during the weighing operation there will be no undue strain on the scale-beam and on the knife-edges which might be the cause of registering an incorrect weight.

The bucket 70 is provided at the upper edge of its back with a bracket 7.2 the end of which is made with perforated ears 7c, in which there is a pin 70", having'a'roller or wheel 7c operatively arranged thereon, as and for the purposes to be hereinafter set forth more in detail.-

From an inspection of Figs. 1, 2', and 9 of the drawings it will be seen that I have secured to the sides of the frame A, hereinabove mentioned,a connecting-piece aiwhich is securely attached at its free ends to the said frame A in any well-known manner. Centrally disposed upon the uppersurface of this connecting-piece (6 so as to be in approximate alinement with the bracket 70 is a bearing-bracket Z, secured to said piece a by means .of bolts or screws Z and being provided with a pair of supporting-pins Z and Z. At or near one end of said cross-piece a there is a bracket m, which is provided with an upwardly-extending arm portion 172 and a shelf m on which may be arranged an indicator or registering device 12. Pivotally arranged on a pin 0, connected with the said arm portion of said bracket-m and havingits lower end 0 normally in holding engagement with the inneredge of the back of the bucket '70, is a pawl or dog 0, which retains the bucket is in its proper position between the yoke portion of the scale-beam while being filled with the goods to be weighed. Connected with the upper end 0' ofthe said pawl or dog 0 is IIC a rod n, which extends into the register 01. and actuates the registering mechanism thereof every time that the bucket 70 turns on the hangers t' in the manner to be hereinafter fully set forth.

Pivotally secured upon the lower supporting-pin Z of the bracket Z is an arm or lever Z, having a weighted portion 1 which is in constant engagement or operative contact with the surface of the wheel or roller h the forwardly-extending portion or end Z having a wheel or roller Z rotatively connected therewith and its extreme free end being provided with a loop Z which forms a guide for the free end 19 of a second arm or lever 19, pivotally arranged on the upper supportingpin Z connected with the bearing-bracket Z. The opposite end 19 is preferably bent to extend in an upward direction, said end being provided with a pair of perforated ears or lugs 19 in which there are a pin 19 and a roller or wheel 19 which can be brought in an operative position beneath the gate d, connected with the pocket D, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The free end of said arm 19 is also preferably counterweighted, as at 19 but said Weight is not absolutely necessary, since said arm is made long enough and is of such sufficient weight that in conjunction with the other parts of the mechanism the gate d will be tightly closed when the weighing-bucket 7c is tilted. The said pockets D, of which there may be any desirable number placed in a row, are of the usual construction, and each pocket has a discharge-openin g or mouth (1. Pivotally secured between a pair of suitably-constructed brackets d attached to the underside of each pocket D, is the gate cl, which has a pair of the usual sides 61 one of which sides may be provided with an eye d, as indicated in dotted outline, for the fastening of the hook end (i of a fastening-rod 01 therein to hold the gate (1 closed against the mouth or discharge-opening of the pocket D when not delivering the goods in said pocket into the bucket of the weighing-machine, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of Fig. 1. Of course it will be evident that I may use in connection with each pocket D for the closing of the discharge-opening in the pocket any other suitable fastening means for retaining the said gate cl in its closed position.

The operation of the weighing-machine for weighing coal, sand, or any other material is as follows: Suppose the several parts of the weighing machine to be in their normal positions. (Indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.) The machine is pushed beneath the pocket D, from which the goods to be weighed are to be taken, until the roller or wheel 19, connected with the arm or lever 19, is directly beneath the gate d of the pocket. The poise on the scale-beam having been properly fixed according to the weight desired for each filling of the bucket 70, the gate cl is now opened and caused to stand in the position indicated in said Fig. 1. Immediately the goods to be weighed will pass from the pocketD into the bucket is, and as soon as the bucket is sufficiently filled to counterbalance the poise connected with the scale-beam the yoke portion of the beam will oscillate on its fulcrumal sup port h and the two arm portions 77/ will at once move in the direction of the arrow :1: in Fig. 1. At the same time the dog or pawl 0 will become released from its holding engagement with the inner surface of the back edge of the bucket 10, and'the said bucket being hung in such a manner between the hangers 'i that the load contained within said bucket,

will throw said bucket out of balance the indicated in Fig. 1, at the same time, owing to the arrangement of the rod n, connected with said pawl or dog, registering the fact that the bucket has made one turn on its journal-pins upon the registering device 02. During the movement of said bucket 70 from its normal position (indicated in Fig. 1) to its tilted position in emptying its contents the weighted end of the lever Z will cause a downward movement of its forwardly-extending portion or end I, and the wheel or roller Z connected therewith, will permit the long portion 19 of the lever or arm 19 to move in a downward direction, thereby causing its roller or wheel 19 at the opposite end to close the gate cl, connected with the mouth of the pocket D, to shut 06 the supply of goods from said pocket D into the bucket 7t. As soon as the bucket returns to its initial position (indicated in Fig. 1) these several parts will likewise assume their normally-inoperative position, and the gate d will again assume its open position to permit the passing of a fresh supply of goods into the bucket 7cto be automatically weighed and then discharged from said bucket.

From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen that the mechanism of the weighing-machine is independent from the movable parts of the gates connected with the respective pockets D, and when one pocket D has been emptied of its contents the weighing-machine can be moved under the next pocket to receive the goods therefrom and weigh them out, and so on any number of pockets can be emptied of their contents and the goods received in the bucket to be automatically weighed.' The advantages of my invention are evident from the above description, and it will be seen that I have devised a simple and operative construction of weighing-machine.

I am fully aware that changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of parts without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the several parts as described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim-is-- 1. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with a scale-beam, having a yoke portion, and a frame in which said beam is fulcrumed, of knife-bearings extending from the sides of said yoke portion, hangers suspended from said knife-bearings, a receiving-bucket journaled in said hangers, means rigidly connected with said yoke portion and with said hangers to prevent swinging of the same on said knife-bearings, and means connected with said frame for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufficiently filled, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with a scale-beam, having a yoke portion, and a frame in which said beam is fulcrumed, of knife-bearings extending from the sides of said yoke portion, hangers suspended from said knife-bearings, a receiving-bucket journaled in said hangers, means rigidly connected with said yoke portion and with said hangers to prevent swinging of the same on said knife-bearings, and a pawl or dog pivotally connected with said frame, said pawl having its lower end normally in sliding and hold ing engagement with the inner edge of said bucket, for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals, when sufficiently filled, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a weighing-machine, the combination, with a scale-beam, having a yoke portion, and a frame, of a pair of bearings in which said beam is fulcrumed, a pair of hangers pivotally connected with the arm portions of said yoke portion of said beam, a downwardly-extending post on each arm portion, perforated ears or lugs on said hangers, and connecting rods or links between said downwardly-extending posts and said lugs or ears, a receiving-bucket journaled in said hangers, and means connected with said frame for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufficiently filled, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted gate of a goods-containing pocket, of an automatic weighing-machine, consisting, es-

sentially, of a scale-beam, having a yoke por-- tion, and a frame in which said beam is fulcrumed, a receiving-bucket journaled in said yoke portion of said beam, means connected with-said frame, for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufficiently filled, and mechanism connected with said frame, constructed and arranged to automatically close the gate of said goodscontaining pocket when the bucket is tilted, consisting, essentially of a bracket connected with said bucket, a roller or wheel arranged in said bracket, and a system of levers or arms Z and p pivoted on pins in a bearing-bracket connected with the frame in which the scalebeam is fulcrumed, and a roller or wheel on said arm or lever p arranged to actuate and close the said gate of the goods-containing pocket, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, with a hinged or piv oted gate of a goods-containing pocket, of an automatic weighing-machine, consisting, essentially, of a scale-beam, having a yoke porg tion, and a frame, a pair of bearings on said frame, in which said beam is fulcrumed, a pair of hangers pivotally connected with the arm portions of said yoke portion of said beam, a receiving-bucket j ournaled in said hangers, means connected with said frame, for retain' ing said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufficiently filled, and mechanism connected with said frame, constructed and arranged to automatically close the gate of said goods-containing pocket when the bucket is tilted, consisting, essentially, of a bracket connected with said bucket, a roller or wheel arranged in said bracket, and a system of levers or arms Z and p pivoted on pins in a bearing-bracket connected with the frame in which the scale-beam is fulcrumed, and a roller or wheel on said arm or lever 19 arranged to actuate and close the said gate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted gate of a goods-containing pocket, of an mally in holding but sliding engagement with the inner edge of the back of said bucket for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufiieiently filled, means rigidly connected with said yoke portion and with said hangers to prevent swinging of the same on said knife-bearings, and

mechanism connected with said frame, constructed and arranged to automatically close the gate of said goods-containing pocket when the bucket is tilted, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted gate of a goods-containing pocket, of an automatic weighing-machine, consisting, essentially, of a scale-beam, having a yoke portion, and a frame, a pair of bearings on said frame, in which said beam is fulcrumed, a pair of hangers pivotally connected with the arm portions of said yoke portion of said beam, ball -bearings in each hanger, a receivingbucket having journal-pins operatively arranged in said ball-bearings,means connected with said frame, for retaining said bucket in its upright position when empty, but permitting said bucket to swing on its journals when sufficiently filled, and mechanism connected with said frame, constructed and arranged to automatically close the gate of said goods-containing pocket when the bucket is tilted, consaid arm or lever 19 arranged to actuate and close the said gate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set myhand this 12th day of June, 1899.

FREDERICK F. MEYER. Witnesses;

E. C. MEYER, FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL. 

